Hong Kong on high alert with Indian poultry meat

Hong Kong’s Centre for Food Safety (CFS) has suspended poultry meat imports from two Indian states after an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza.

The CFS blocked suspended import of poultry meat and products, including eggs, from India’s Puri district in Orissa on 21 December, while the organisation also revealed a second suspension for the Munger district in Bihar on 31 December.

The move was to protect public health in Hong Kong, according to the CFS.

Avian influenza is highly infectious amongst poultry, causing them respiratory problems, and often leads to fatalities.

A CFS spokesman said Hong Kong currently has an established protocol with India for import of poultry eggs but not for poultry meat. In the first nine months of this year, no poultry eggs were imported into Hong Kong from India.

“The CFS has contacted the Indian authorities over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the OIE on avian influenza outbreaks​,” said the spokesman. “Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation​.”

The CFS is expected to work closely with the World Health Organization and other health authorities to monitor latest developments, but has urged the public to remain vigilant.